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Members Shocked by Bell Aliant Announcement

MONCTON, NB, Oct. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Unionized workers at Bell Aliant are shocked, disappointed, and have serious concerns about the consequences of their employer's plan to close contact centres and consolidate the work into five locations.

Employees whose jobs are being relocated are facing a decision to either follow their job to its new location or to accept a severance offer.

"These members have been presented with a cruel choice...relocate and give up your home and community or give up your job," says Penny Fawcett, Chair of the Atlantic Communication Council of the CEP, "this is devastating for people with family obligations and commitments, who are not close to retirement, and who have strong ties to where they live."

Many of the closures involve smaller communities in regions with economic problems.

"Northern New Brunswick, Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia, central Newfoundland, and western PEI are all areas which have suffered severe economic blows, and now one of the traditionally reliable employers is pulling out as well," says Fawcett, "this is devastating news to our members and the towns where they live."

"We will make sure that the Company understands the human consequences of their decision, and ensure that all our members are fully supported as they struggle with these difficult decisions." adds Fawcett.